ID
ID is the greatest festival of the Muslims. All over the world, Muslims celebrate it with great pomp and splendour. They observe fasts for a lull month after sighting the moon of ‘Ramzan’. The next day, the festival of Id is celebrated. Every year it comes off on the first day of the month of ‘ShawaF and is a day of festivity and feasting.
It is a conviction of the Muslims that fasting in the month of ‘Ramzan’ purifies the soul. So during the month of ‘Ramzan’, they lead a pure and holy life. They observe fasts, offer regular prayers (Namaz), read the holy Koran, feed the hungry and give alms to the poor. Charity is the greatest virtue to be practiced during the month of ‘Ramzan’. Fasting comes to an end when the new moon of Id is sighted. The sight of the new moon is considered very pious and holy by the Muslims. It is a signal for the celebration of Id the very next day.
On this day, they get up early in the morning. They visit mosques and offer prayers. They embrace one another and exchange the greeting, ‘Id Mubaraik’. Sweets are distributed, gifts are given and delicious dishes are prepared. A family goat is slaughtered on this day with prayers and its blessed meat is distributed among friends and relatives. At some places, Id fairs are also held.
It is a festival which gives us the message to love all and hate none. It teaches us to treat all men as brothers.
In our country, the Hindus, the Sikhs and the Christians greet their Muslim brothers on this day. The celebration of Id promotes national integration and a feeling of brotherhood. It exhorts us to bid goodbye to hatred, jealousy and enmity and bring in an era of love, sympathy and brotherhood.